Post-film talkback to feature in-person: John Marshall (son of Thurgood Marshall) and “Marshall” screenplay co-writer Michael Koskoff. Tickets: THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR A lunchtime lecture event with the visiting speakers is also planned at the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law Classroom 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Th., 9/14/17. Details and tickets: marshallpanel.bpt.me

HONOLULU – The ACLU of Hawaiiʻs Davis Levin First Amendment Conference (DLFAC) is excited to bring to Honolulu a free, advance screening of the anticipated new movie from Open Road Films: “Marshall.” starring Chadwick Boseman.

Thurgood Marshall is best known for the landmark lawsuit Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated U.S. public schools, and as the first Aftrican-American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. This film reaches earlier in his life to a defining case as a lawyer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) whose themes of racism, class privilege and sensationalized media continue to resonate nationwide today .

“As the nation teeters on the brink of WWII, a nearly bankrupt NAACP sends Thurgood Marshall (Chadwick Boseman) to conservative Connecticut to defend a black chauffeur against his wealthy socialite employer in a sexual assault and attempted murder trial that quickly became tabloid fodder. In need of a high profile victory but muzzled by a segregationist court, Marshall is partnered with Samuel Friedman (Josh Gad), a young Jewish lawyer who has never tried a criminal case.” (Open Road)

Following the film, attendees will have the rare opportunity of hearing from and have a chance to ask questions of special guests John Marshall and Michael Koskoff.

John Marshall is the son of Thurgood Marshall. He has a long career in government, including being the first African-American Director of the United States Marshals Service, appointed in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. Today, he is a sought-after speaker on criminal justice, civil rights, and his fatherʻs legacy. Thurgood Marshall had a Hawai‘i connection – his wife, Cecilia Suyat, was a Hawai‘i local and hapa (filipino and Native Hawaiian) – and they would frequently visit the islands with sons Thurgood Jr., and John.

Michael Koskoff, “Marshall” screenplay co-writer (alongside his son, Jacob Koskoff), is an author, a classically trained actor and a nationally reknowned litigator, known for malpractice, anti-trust, civil rights and class actions. At the beginning of his legal career, Michael and his father – the legendary Ted Koskoff – defended the Black Panthers in a historic New Haven trial. In the seventies and eighties Michael worked with black police and fire organizations to increase the representation of minorities in public safety services. Today, his law firm, Koskoff Koskoff and Bieder, represents families of Sandy Hook victims in litigation against assault rifle manufacturer Remington Arms Co.

DLFAC founder and partner in law firm Davis Levin Livingston Mark Davis said: “We are proud to bring the people of Honolulu together to view this important new film, to hear more about the person that Thurgood Marshall was, and the extraordinary importance of his early courtroom battles on his legacy of civil rights jurisprudence. We are fortunate to have Mike (Koskoff) and John Marshall here in person to lead that conversation and to discuss the development of this fascinating story.”

The Regal Theaters Dole Cannery are ADA-accessible. Special accommodation requests by Th., 8/24/17. We will always try to meet requests. office@acluhawaii.org

A lunchtime lecture event with the visiting speakers is also planned at the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law Classroom 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Th., 9/14/17. Details and tickets: marshallpanel.bpt.me